Tesla has started taking orders for its Model 3 sedans in North America, without requiring any prior reservations, CNBC News is reporting.
Previously, Model 3 cars were only available to those customers who had deposited $1,000 to secure a place in line but now, anyone in the U.S. and Canada can order the car online via Tesla’s website.
Right now, you can select the rear-wheel drive model starting at $64,100 CAD, or the dual motor all-wheel drive option at $69,400. The “Performance” dual motor all-wheel drive, which offers a higher top speed of 250 km/h and 0-100 km/h of 3.7 seconds, is available for $84,800.
The paint colour “Solid Black” is included, but upgrades to metallic or multi-coat paint will cost $1,300 and $2,000 extra, respectively.
A “Performance Upgrade” package with 20-inch performance wheels and brakes, plus carbon fibre spoiler, aluminum alloy pedals, is $6,600 extra.
The Performance model also gains a Premium White upgrade add-on for $2,000.
Enhanced Autopilot and Full Self-Driving Capability is $6,600 and $4,000 extra, respectively. Full autopilot is not available yet, as it’s “dependent upon extensive software validation and regulatory approval. It is not possible to know exactly when it will be available, as this is highly dependent on local regulatory approval, which may vary widely by jurisdiction,” according to Tesla.
A maxed out performance model Model 3 comes to $106,000 plus sales tax and a $1,300 destination and documentation fee.
There are electric vehicle rebates available for residents BC and Quebec—while Ontario’s rebates were just cancelled by newly-elected conservative government.
The electric car maker basically wanted to get a sense of the market’s demand for its latest sedan, which is why it took reservations well before it even started its manufacturing. Of course, the company also succeeded in something of an “interest-free loan” with the Model 3 reservation deposits.
While anyone can now order a Model 3 car in the U.S. and Canada, Tesla has clearly said that the orders will be fulfilled in priority order based on whether or not a customer had a reservation, the date of the order, selected vehicle configuration, and the location of delivery.
Reservation holders and new customers alike must pay a $2,500 deposit to move their Model 3 orders forward. The deposits go toward the overall cost of their cars. The $2,500 to $3,500 total deposit becomes nonrefundable once Tesla assigns the customer a vehicle identification number, typically within a few days of their order.
A large number of potential buyers, however, continue to wait for the base version of the Model 3, which the company promised to sell for an accessible price of $35,000 USD.
Meanwhile, customers seeking refunds are expected to receive their $1,000 or $2,500 deposits directly to their credit cards within two weeks of initiating the request.
